FIFA removes Al Ahly participant Hussein El Shahat’s Membership World Cup promotional content material after his ‘Free Palestine’ wristband

Know why FIFA determined to take away advertisements that includes Al Ahly footballer Hussein El Shahat after he supported Palestine

FIFA reportedly eliminated Al Ahly’s star winger Hussein El Shahat from official Membership World Cup promotional content material after he appeared carrying a wristband that learn ‘Free Palestine’ in early media property. The choice, first dropped at gentle by journalist Layla Hamed of The Athletic, triggered widespread criticism and reignited debate round political expression in soccer. As of now, FIFA has not issued an official assertion, and neither El Shahat nor his membership Al Ahly has commented on the matter.

FIFA removes Al Ahly participant Hussein El Shahat’s Membership World Cup promotional materials after his ‘Free Palestine’ wristband

FIFA has eliminated promotional pictures of Al Ahly participant Hussein El Shahat forward of their Membership World Cup recreation towards Inter Miami, after noticing he was carrying a ‘Free Palestine’ bracelet.
FIFA doesn’t simply keep silent on genocide, they silence anybody who speaks towards it. pic.twitter.com/6FPFgfyuCV
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) June 14, 2025

El Shahat, one of the adorned gamers in Egyptian soccer with 5 Egyptian Premier League titles and 4 CAF Champions League trophies, had initially featured prominently in pictures and movies selling the worldwide match.

Nevertheless, as soon as the wristband’s message turned evident, FIFA discreetly eliminated him from all marketing campaign supplies, opting not to attract consideration to the change. This transfer, supposed to go unnoticed, drew sharp backlash after the report surfaced, with many accusing FIFA of silencing pro-Palestine sentiment and suppressing athletes’ proper to expression on worldwide platforms.

A FIFA removeu as fotos promocionais do jogador Hussein El Shahat, do Al Ahly, antes da partida contra o Inter Miami pela Copa do Mundo de Clubes, após perceber que ele estava usando uma pulseira com os dizeres: “Palestina Livre”
Through: @AFP
📷DAZN / FIFA pic.twitter.com/Q6sYNmSsPY
— LIBERTA DEPRE (@liberta___depre) June 14, 2025

Who’s Hussein El Shahat?

Hussein Ali El Shahat Ali Hassan, born on 21 June 1992, is an completed Egyptian footballer recognized for his versatility on the pitch. Primarily working as a winger, he has additionally demonstrated his prowess as an attacking midfielder, at the moment representing Al Ahly within the Egyptian Premier League. El Shahat started to make his mark with Misr Lel-Makkasa, the place he performed from 2014 to 2018. His spectacular performances earned him a transfer to Al Ain within the United Arab Emirates.

Throughout his time there, he contributed considerably to the membership’s success, serving to them clinch the 2017–18 UAE Professional League title. He additionally performed a pivotal position in Al Ain’s exceptional run to the ultimate of the 2018 FIFA Membership World Cup, scoring in a convincing 3–0 quarterfinal victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis. By 11 February 2023, he had etched his identify into the match’s historical past books, making his twelfth FIFA Membership World Cup look, surpassing Egyptian soccer icons.